A DISABLED man who spent months hospitalised was shocked to come home and find find double yellow lines painted outside his home.
Joseph Thompson, 60, was admitted to hospital on January 10 with pneumonia and later developed sepsis and various other serious infections.
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After suffering multiple injuries earlier in life, including a motorbike accident and falling on board a moving bus, he has been left severely struggling with his mobility.
Joseph, who usually parks outside his flat in Leith, Edinburgh, was stunned when he noticed the freshly painted lines in front of and behind his motor.
The changes were due to the rollout of City of Edinburgh Council’s controlled parking zones in the area.
But Joseph says that as he was in hospital, he was unaware that his parking space would be taken away.
Joseph said: “I was in hospital for over two months at the start of the year and nearly died three times. I was admitted with pneumonia and then sepsis and other infections nearly finished me off.
“I got out of hospital and noticed that in front and behind my car outside my flat had been painted with double yellows, with cones either side of my car.
“I park right outside as I can’t make it all the way up the hill to the only other location I’m guaranteed a space. I use the car often as it is my only mode of transport for visiting my kids during the week.
“I applied for a disabled parking spot outside and I heard back saying they couldn’t process the application without documents proving it’s my car and proof that I pay council tax.”
On March 29, Joseph was issued a parking ticket while parked on the double yellows.
The changes have meant Joseph has been close to giving up his car as the nearest disabled spot is at the top of the street, which he can’t walk to as it is uphill.
He has also been working with his support worker to apply for a disabled parking spot outside his flat.
Joseph continued: “I have double yellow lines outside my flat. I have been told I can park anytime. Then told otherwise. There is no signage in my square, so I’m confused about the loading issue.
“It looks as though the only option I have is to become ‘trapped’ in my flat, by selling my car.
“There has never been a problem with parking or access. I know the new zones are to stop people abandoning their cars for the day and going into the city but this is a quiet area.
“All the people parked here live here. The fire service and ambulance have been in here before and there has never been an issue getting in or out due to traffic.”
The City of Edinburgh Council have since confirmed that Joseph is free to park on the double yellow lines as loading restrictions do not apply.
And they clarified that his parking ticket was only issued as a notice so that they could relocate his motor to mark the remaining lines.
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “As a blue badge holder, Mr Thompson is entitled to apply for a disabled space and is permitted to park on the double yellow lines outside of his property and any other double yellow lines where there are no loading restrictions and where it is safe to do so.
“He can also park in pay and display spaces, and can apply for a free permit to park in permit spaces in the area.
“In addition to correspondence with residents over recent years about plans, we sent out leaflets to residents in February and again before zones went live, with information about the changes and permits.”
It comes after a council painted new double lines so badly that residents thought it was a prank.
The lines were supposed to solve parking woes, but locals are now calling for the “shabby” paint job to be fixed.
Meanwhile, furious homeowners on one road have put up spikes to stop ‘”disgraceful” parking on their road.
